One of 4 heart valve. The mitral valve is one of the 4 heart valves found in the heart. These valves keep blood moving one direction rather than back and forth as the heart contracts. The mitral valve is so named as it looks like the pope's hat (a mitre). The mitral valve separates the left atrium and the left ventricle.
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The heart is a pump. Moving blood by squeezing. The valves keep blood moving in the proper direction. The mitral valve prevents blood from moving backwards from the left ventricular to left atrium. Also the way the leaflets are positioned it directs blood into the lv in the most efficient direction so it can exit thru the aortic valve with the least amount of effort. That's 1 reason repair is better than replacement.
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Mitral valve. The mitral valve has to open properly to let blood flow into the left ventricle from the atrium. If it doesn't, we call this stenosis. It has to close to keep the blood flowing toward the body, if it doesn't we call this regurgitation or insufficiency. Either or both problems can exist with the valve if its abnormal. Insufficiency is more common.
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One of 4 heart valve. The mitral valve is one of the 4 heart valves found in the heart. These valves keep blood moving one direction rather than back and forth as the heart contracts. The mitral valve is so named as it looks like the pope's hat (a mitre). The mitral valve separates the left atrium and the left ventricle.
Read more...

The heart is a pump. Moving blood by squeezing. The valves keep blood moving in the proper direction. The mitral valve prevents blood from moving backwards from the left ventricular to left atrium. Also the way the leaflets are positioned it directs blood into the lv in the most efficient direction so it can exit thru the aortic valve with the least amount of effort. That's 1 reason repair is better than replacement.
Read more...

Mitral valve. The mitral valve has to open properly to let blood flow into the left ventricle from the atrium. If it doesn't, we call this stenosis. It has to close to keep the blood flowing toward the body, if it doesn't we call this regurgitation or insufficiency. Either or both problems can exist with the valve if its abnormal. Insufficiency is more common.
Read more...